49ers say boo to new rules

The NFL announced today it will suspend players for illegal hits to the head and neck, and discipline coaches and teams who teach that sort of technique.

Predictably, reaction from the 49ers’ locker room was anti-establishment. Unpredictably, it was those who stand to benefit the most who opposed it the most.

“It’s going to happen,” said wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who thinks receivers should always keep their “head on a swivel.” “It’s football. There’s no way you can really protect a guy from getting hit like that. I don’t really see the need to go and take somebody’s money.

“Now you’re playing with a guy’s money. He can’t play football like he used to. He’s timid. He might have a big play, but he’s scared to go down and make that play because of the fine he’s going to get.”

Ginn isn’t the only offensive player who doesn’t like the NFL coming down harder on defenders after three players were fined $175,000 for concussive blows Sunday.

“I don’t feel safer at all,” said receiver Josh Morgan, who got knocked out on a high pass by a Saints safety as a rookie. “You can say you’re going to fine somebody, but they’re still going hit you regardless, right? The defense is not going to show you any mercy. They’re going to try to run through you, intimidate you and inflict pain on you. That’s their job.”

Even Alex Smith, who plays the most rule-protected position in the game, has his doubts.

“It’s tough,” Smith said. “You do, even as a quarterback, you see the point of view of the guys in the secondary. A lot of times, non-intentionally, but making hits, that’s their job to make strong hits and if they aren’t … you know, if they’re making a proper hit and not trying to lead with their head but all of the sudden the offensive guy ducks and protects themselves, and it ends up being a head-to-head deal … there’s a lot of gray there I think.”

There is nothing gray about the rule itself. In fact, the rule has not changed one bit. Players can’t lead with their head or it’s a penalty and (usually) a fine. Flagrant hits to the head and neck have been illegal and finable offenses for years.

What did change Wednesday are the consequences. First-time offenders can be suspended. Coaches and teams can be disciplined. Officials can now eject players from the game for flagrant hits.

Maybe that’s why receivers and quarterbacks don’t like this. They don’t want to lose a Dashon Goldson or Patrick Willis in a game because they deliver a head-to-head blow, accidental or not.

“Those guys can still be physical,” 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. “It doesn’t mean they can’t hit the guy as hard as they possibly can. It just means that the technique has to change.”

In other news of the day …

** Center Davis Baas missed practice for personal reasons, but the team expects him back Thursday.

That’s a good thing, because center Eric Heitmann is ruled out with a neck injury — yet another setback for the former starter who has yet to play since breaking his leg in training camp.

** Bad news for the 49ers: Panthers receiver Steve Smith is back earlier than expected from a high ankle sprain. He practiced Wednesday for a team that has floundered with no other passing-game threat.

** Vernon Davis is day-to-day with a knee contusion. He was limited in practice. His chances of missing Sunday’s game rank between nil land none.

** Cornerback Nate Clements missed practice with an ankle injury. Same goes for defensive end Justin Smith (hand). Both are listed as day-to-day.